Now it's up to Jetblue to go out and get private investors to finance the project..

"October 19, 2003

J.F.K. Project Would Reopen Famed Terminal

By COREY KILGANNON

JetBlue Airways and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have agreed on a plan for the airline to build a modern 26-gate terminal adjacent to Terminal 5 at Kennedy International Airport, the historic Trans World Airlines Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen, officials said yesterday.

After intense discussions in recent weeks, JetBlue and the Port Authority, which operates the airport, reached a consensus and submitted their final comments to the Federal Aviation Administration last week. The agency has final approval on airport projects and is expected to make a decision within a month.

Richard J. Smyth, vice president of redevelopment at JetBlue, said all parties "feel pretty good" that the plans will be approved.

"We finally arrived at a consensus and made a formal recommendation to the F.A.A. with an approach that seems to be the best plan for everyone," he said.

If approved, the $600 million project would be a bold, ambitious move during a dismal economic time in the airline industry and would help JetBlue, the largest domestic carrier at Kennedy, greatly expand its operations there.

The deal would also revive Terminal 5, famed for its distinctive modern style but closed since October 2001 when Trans World Airlines ceased operations.

"With the building empty, it continues to deteriorate," Mr. Smyth said. "This plan saves a historic building and allows the appropriate upgrade for a modern airline, so we can grow at J.F.K."

The 41-year-old terminal is a city landmark. But after it closed, several New York preservation groups feared that it might be declared obsolete by airport officials and demolished. They began fighting for a development project that would include it as a functioning terminal, rather than a museum piece.

Frank E. Sanchis III, executive director of the Municipal Art Society, which was involved in the discussions, called the final recommendations a "happy solution."

"The plan provides a functional use for one of the most wonderful buildings ever designed to board an airplane from," he said.

Alan Hicks, a Port Authority spokesman, said the agency was working with all parties, including JetBlue and the Municipal Art Society, to make sure that Terminal 5 remained in use. "It is a magnificent work of art, and we are very proud of it," he said.

Mr. Smyth said the existing terminal would serve as an alternative entrance to the proposed terminal behind it and would have automated JetBlue ticket kiosks. The Port Authority would control the older terminal, he said, and evaluate proposals for uses, which could include a conference center, restaurants, shops and offices.

The new terminal would be connected to the existing one by its two well-known tubular passenger walkways, which were used in the 2002 film "Catch Me if You Can" as the setting of a climactic encounter between Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Under the current recommendations, at least one original walkway would be preserved, with the other possibly modified or rebuilt to contain a moving walkway.

JetBlue operates 80 flights per day out of Terminal 6, but wants to triple that number by 2010, which the proposed 26-gate terminal would allow the airline to do, Mr. Smyth said. JetBlue hopes to finish it by mid-2007, and to pay for much of the cost through the sale of bonds, Mr. Smyth said.

Is that mean for jetBlue will added more terminal 5? I wondered to know about those JFK airport and will keep continues to growth more these gate number will be added and will be connection the bridge from T-5 to T-6, right? It would be very easier way for the customers.

The total number of gates Jet Blue will have at JFK will be 23, which doesn't sound like alot but for carriers like WN and B6 who have quick turns and high aircraft utilization rates it's a good number.

They will tear down T-6 (B6's current terminal) and tear down the concourses of T-5, all their gates will be in the new terminal as will all check-in, baggage claim etc. They will have self check-in kiosks in T-5, but you will need to cross over to the new terminal which is to be built behind T-5 to clear security and head for the gates.

T-5 is mostly going to be used as a lounge, museum, restaraunt etc.. However for those with no luggage they could use the self check-in kiosks at T-5 and then proceed through the "tubes" to the new terminals gate areas.

i would have liked to see access beind security through one of the tubes, so that even if you had luggage, you could check out the classic terminal. i don't know the specs, but can they possibly put in an origional style ticket counter and use it as a museum and then put in a resturant and maybe a jetBlue New York Lounge which would be a members-only club?

Interesting design. Is it possible they are using the three left-side concourses and will have room to expand the terminal to the remaining "Y" concourse once the airline requires it? Or vice-versa (two right-side concourses, two left-side expanded later)?

It's a very creative use of the original terminal and preserves a wonderful historical landmark.

Cheers!

Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it in summer school.

"Is it possible they are using the three left-side concourses and will have room to expand the terminal to the remaining "Y" concourse once the airline requires it? Or vice-versa (two right-side concourses, two left-side expanded later)?"

Again this was the original plan from 2001, the terminal as planned then would have included UAL (both Domestic and International), Jet Blue, TWA and if I recall correctly America West.

26 gates is alot for a LCC like B6 or WN, I think WN at their biggest hubs (BWI, LAS, HOU etc) only have about 26 gates.

They turn planes so quick and keep them in the air longer so there's less gate dwell time, thus the need for less gates.

The article mentions this will help them double their current 80 flights, so I think they (B6) and even myself don't see them growing to more than 160-200 flights at JFK.